Page 35 of Long Hard Ride
Chapter Fourteen
September
Shane and I are standing in front of my easel in the living room. I’ve kept my painting covered with a sheet since the day I sent my application in to Reflections’ art committee. I didn’t want to jinx myself, but there’s no reason to hide it anymore. Besides, it’s time to pack everything up. I keep a smile plastered on my face even though I feel like crying, and carefully remove the sheet. I step aside and wait for Shane’s reaction.
He grips his wrists behind his back and bends, analyzing every inch. “This is incredible, Brooke,” he says, leaning in for a closer look.
“You like it?”
He gestures for me to come closer and then wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I more than just like it.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I love it, especially that.” Shane points to where I painted his truck in the lower right corner.
“I would’ve painted you, but the committee was looking for either straight landscapes or homes—you know, a day-in-the-life sort of thing.”
“My truck, huh?”
“Because it means you’re not at work or anywhere else—you’re here with me. That’s what makes this little ranch house a home.”
Shane’s blue eyes shimmer with surprise, before he turns back to the painting. “That’s just about the damn sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, darlin’. Is that how you really feel, or did you add my truck because you thought the committee would like it?”
I inch up closer beside him, smelling his sexy pine and warm leather scent. One sniff and I’m ready to jump him. “No,Ineeded your truck in the painting.” I say it as light and airy as I possibly can, but I’m on the verge of turning into a blubbering idiot. “Have you liked being married these last six months?” I ask, not sure I want to know the answer. I mean, I know he’s enjoyed being together the last two months—at least he’s been fucking me like he does. But for a man who detests commitments, being legally married probably still isn’t his cup of tea.
Shane places his hands on my waist and turns me to face him. “Let’s put it this way—being married wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
Fuck, this is so hard. There’s no way I can just blurt out what I have to say here. The timing isn’t right. The news would probably knock him over. Tears well up behind my eyes, and I shrug out of his hold.
“Yeah, not half as bad as I thought either.” I force a chuckle and head for the hall before I burst out crying. I’ve been so damn emotional lately. “I better start packing.”
Shit, shit, shit. I can’t believe this is happening. I go to the bedroom and shut the door. I walk over to the dresser and pick up the pregnancy stick I left there this morning. I should’ve waited to pee on the damn thing until I was in Chicago.
I study the results again, as if the redyou-are-pregnantline is going to magically change tono-you-are-notgreen.
I respect Shane too much to give him the news today, because I know he’d want to do the right thing. But I want Shane to stay married to me because he loves me, and for no other reason.
I start throwing clothes into my suitcase. I’ll give Shane the news once I’m back in Chicago, so he won’t feel trapped.
I know he cares about me, butit wasn’t as bad as I thought it would beis hardly the answer of a man wanting to stay married.
